Whitestone: A Country Tennessee Bed and Breakfast

A recent study by psychologists Leaf Van Boven and Thomas Gilovich concluded that over time people consistently valued experiences over material things. The take-away quote was “take longer vacations and cut back on purchases.” As I look backward over my life, I whole-heartedly agree that vacations, trips, getaways and special places are treasured in my [...]

We are fortunate to have guests from around the world visit us at Whitestone.A recent guest had just returned from Afganistan where she had served an international aid organization for two years. She is twenty-six years old, very attractive and left the US yesterday for another two year term in that war-torn country, I asked [...]

Last night at dinner I heard a new reason to vist the inn. Several years ago I planted 100 blueberry bushes-9 varities so there is an 8 week season. I asked a couple what brought them to Whitestone. They replied “This our second year to come to pick blueberries. And we  will be back every [...]

Whitestone has attracted guests from around the world, but tonight was exceptional. Guests at dinner were from Guatemala, Morocco, China, Thailand, Columbia, Ukraine and Russia. US guests were from 6 states. It is gratifying to realize the reach of our influence around the world. The wonderful article inthe March 09 issue of Southern Living has [...]

THE 10,000 HOUR RULE In his book, OUTLIERS, Malcolm Gladwell presents neurologist Daniel Levitin’s study of world-class experts. Levitin says that “scientific” studies indicate that 10,000 hours are a pre-requisite to be a world-class master in any arena. He gives several examples to prove his thesis. As I read this, I thought about Innkeeping. Specifically [...]

I have recently been involved on a board where the institution felt the need to re-brand itself and present a new image to the world. As we went through the agonizing process I re-evaluated Whitestone Country Inn’s “brand’. When I made the first notes about what would become Whitestone in 1963 I didn’t have our [...]

The National Opinion Research Center study shows that the happiest people in America have common circumstances: they enjoy what they do for a living; have a sense of security;have close friends; are optimistic;believe in God. I am blessed that I enjoy those things listed. Life is good! Paul

A friend from high-school came to Whitestone. I had not seen him since 1959 and would not have recognized him if he had not identified himself when he pulled in the entrance to the chapel. I was parking cars for a wedding, greeted him warmly and told him to go to the next entrance to [...]

I have been sitting on the back deck of the Farmhouse at Whitestone. It is an absolutely perfect Spring afternoon.I can see over 4 miles of lake frontage and 4 islands.(Watts Bar Lake embayment of the Tennessee River) The Smokey Mountains are visible in the distance today. There is a nice breeze and it’s 75 [...]